So what do you think so far? Is Smart still the car for you?

[andywert]

Originally Posted by tipo158

...The car really understeered and felt tippy/unstable at the same time. Not very reassuring for something for the first car that my daughter will be driving.

Not exactly confidence building...but to some extent the discomfort you felt might make you unwilling to probe the ultimate vehicle handling limits...which may be what is intended by the manufacturer.

Road and Track magazine in their review pointed out that the aggressive nature of the ESP is something that turns off the fun-meter to keep things within the inherent design limits of a tall, short wheelbase car.

If you want the "handles like it's on rails" car buy a MINI. I love mine.

But for a city-car that is easy on gas, takes up less space, and generates a considerable amount of attention, even with its faults the smart can't be beat.

[4-2NV]

Originally Posted by 300SRT8

Have owned my Smart Car for five days now and absolutely love it! My SRT8 should be gone in about a week and I will have no regrets making the Smart my only car. The Smart Car has exceeded all expectations I had in terms of overall drivability (acceleration, suspension, comfort) and it has totally surprised me with its abilities on the freeway. I love this car!!!

Hey-I have an SRT8 as well. Talk about the other end of the spectrum. Didn't sell mine (yet). We also own a Prius, a Mini Cooper S and a TR6. Smart being delivered on Wednesday. The big guy might be getting edged out.

Were you over on LX forums at some point?

[tipo158]

Originally Posted by andywert

Not exactly confidence building...but to some extent the discomfort you felt might make you unwilling to probe the ultimate vehicle handling limits...which may be what is intended by the manufacturer.

I have no problem exploring the limits.

However, I am not sure the smart sales rep wanted me exploring the limits (particularly if I ended up too far on the wrong side of them).

I am also not sure I want my daughter learning to drive like I did by exploring the limits. I crashed my Bug three times before I killed it.

... generates a considerable amount of attention ...

This will pass.

Besides, I have an early, early Lotus Elise. It gets lots of attention because it is much prettier than the US Elise. It is also lighter than the smart and gets smart-like fuel economy. It does have less interior room than the smart, though.

[ex300SRT8]

Originally Posted by 4-2NV

Hey-I have an SRT8 as well. Talk about the other end of the spectrum. Didn't sell mine (yet). We also own a Prius, a Mini Cooper S and a TR6. Smart being delivered on Wednesday. The big guy might be getting edged out.

Were you over on LX forums at some point?

I've been there, but primarily at 300C forums for a few years. I go by the name Doyle (favorite guitarist). My wife owns an 06 Mini Cooper S and it was my love for that car that broke the ice in getting my Smart. Now my wife is mad at me because I get to drive the Smart more than she does.

We took some pictures of my black 300CSRT8 next to my black Passion Coupe yesterday and I hope to post them here and over at the 300C forums soon. They are pretty good. Hopefully I will have my SRT8 sold tomorrow. I love that car, but really have no regrets making my Smart my one and only.